State Association for the
Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries
SAPIC is a non-profit organization 501 (c) (3).
Contributions are deductible under sections
170, 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Next Meeting

The State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries will meet at the Tama County Genealogical Library, 200 N. Broadway, Toledo, Iowa, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010.  It is located diagonally across from the county courthouse.  (Sign posted on Highway 63.)  Lunch will be served by the Tama County Pioneer Cemetery Commission at a nominal cost.  Reservations for lunch may be made by calling Joyce Wiese at 641-481-0373 by Oct. 1 or by contacting Pat Shaw at 319-293-3899 or e-mail: patshaw@netins.net

Cemetery Seminar in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Finishing up Family History Month is a unique seminar focused on gathering and recording the wealth of information found in cemetery records. “Start Sharing the News! A Celebration of Collaboration,” will begin on Friday October 29th with a Welcoming Dinner at the historic Baker Street Station from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Genealogy Center's Curt Witcher will present "How the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne Became a National Tourist Attraction."

The seminar continues Saturday October 30th at the Allen County Public Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Meeting Rooms AB. During the first session, "Cemetery Seekers Presentation: Sharing Your Cemetery
Research," Jim Cox and Penny North will share their "tricks of the trade" for reading and documenting cemeteries.  From 11 a.m. to noon, select one of two concurrent sessions: "Flickr for Genealogists," presented by Sara Patalita, or "Relating through WeRelate.org," by Cynthia Theusch. At 12:30 p.m., bring your brown-bag lunch (or visit a nearby restaurant for carry out) and enjoy an opportunity to relax and ask questions about research that has you stumped or puzzled. Later in the afternoon, select from two more concurrent sessions: "Being Creative with Your Family History Online" presented by The Genealogy Center Staff, or "Cataloging 3-D Items and Heirlooms” by Dawne Slater-Putt. The day ends with individual research consultations available in The Genealogy Center.

The seminar concludes on Sunday October 31st with a tour of historic Lindenwood Cemetery from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. During this walking tour, you will get to see examples of some of the earliest graves and tombstones in the area.  The tour will include the grave sites of prominent individuals as well as examples of amazing tombstone iconography. The fee for the entire event is $25. Register early to take advantage of this opportunity. For more information and registration, see
http://thing1.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/Start%20Sharing%20The%20News.pdf.

SAPIC History

The State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries was formed in 1996 as a result of legislation that allowed for each of the 99 counties to create a County Cemetery Commission. The focus of these Commissions was to rescue untended pioneer graves and cemeteries and to take responsibility for the upkeep of such sites. May is proclaimed Cemetery Appreciation Month each year by the Governor of the State of Iowa.

Webinar Information

Our Pioneer Cemetery Concerns

Iowa law defines a Pioneer Cemetery as one in which there have been 12 or fewer burials in the past 50 years. If you know of a cemetery that qualifies for this distinction, and would like to have it recognized, please contact the State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries to have it recorded. The law was changed from six to 12 burials in 2009 under 'standings bill' SJ 1150, and was signed by Gov. Chet Culver on May 26, 2009. See our PURPOSE below.

Membership Dues

Dues are due for 2010! Thanks to all of the SAPIC members who have renewed their memberships. Your support is greatly appreciated! If you haven't done so yet, you may send your dues for 2010 to SAPIC Treasurer, Valerie Ogren, 108 N. Oak St., Jefferson IA 50129-1841. Annual dues are: Individual - $10; Household - $15; Organization or business - $20. Lifetime dues for an individual - $100. Membership includes the SAPIC newsletter "Grave News." Membership Application

Iowa Cemetery Laws and Procedures
 Please note, the number of burials requirement to be designated as a Pioneer Cemetery has been changed to 12 since the original law was passed.

Meet the winners of the Carter Awards
Nominations due July 1 each year

E-Mail List: The Iowa Cemeteries e-mail list is hosted by SAPIC member Fred Reese. To join this list send an e-mail message to IA-Cemeteries-L-request@rootsweb.com  Leave the subject area blank. Put only the word subscribe within the body of the message (nothing else). You will receive a confirmation that you have been subscribed to the list, along with instructions on how to participate. Note that there are hundreds of people on this list. Not every post is necessarily from a member of SAPIC. Most people on the list are genealogists searching for relatives, want directions to a cemetery in the state of Iowa, or who have questions about Iowa cemeteries. Everyone participates in answering questions.

Suggestions for forming a Cemetery Commission

SAPIC MEMBERSHIP

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

IOWA CEMETERY COMMISSIONS

GRAVESTONE REPAIR

 

RESTORATION WORKSHOPS

SAPIC's PURPOSE
 SAPIC was organized in 1996 with the following goals:

A. To identify all cemeteries in Iowa

B. To take such measurements as are necessary, possible and reasonable to protect these cemeteries, and the monuments contained in them, from danger due to natural causes or from human encroachment.

C. To provide guidance and educational materials for use by the people entrusted with the preservation of these cemeteries and monuments contained in them.

D. To compile and distribute information about the proper maintenance techniques for these cemeteries and the monuments contained in them.

E. To provide advice and information to legislative bodies empowered to pass legislation creating a legal framework for the protection, the preservation and maintenance of these cemeteries and the monuments contained in them are enforced.


F. To act as a monitor of the administrative and management personal of these cemeteries, to ensure that the legal measures for the protection, preservation and maintenance of the cemeteries and the monuments in them are enforced.

IOWA GRAVESTONE PHOTO PROJECT
 Researchers may submit photos and transcriptions of gravestones and may connect with kinfolk.

This site was last updated March 3, 2010

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